Clip suspension device for keys and the like

ABSTRACT

A clip for keys, &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;pocket&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; watches and the like for suspending the items from the waist band of an article of clothing on the inside of the article of clothing out of sight between it and the human body in a particular region of the human anatomy, viz. at or near the boundary between the iliac and the hypogastric regions of the lower abdomen directly between the anterior superior iliac spines wherein the body forms a natural, elongated hollow. Such positioning prevents any discomfort to the user and creates no unsightly bulge. The lower extension (5) of the clip angles down and away from the plane of the clip portion (2,4) and assists the natural contours of the human body in positioning the items in the desired location.

United States atent Walton [54] CLIP SUSPENSION DEVICE FOR KEYS AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor: Carey E. Walton, Opelousas, La.

[73] Assignees: Leopold A. Castllle; Stephen J. Ledet, Jr.,

part interest to each [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 3,698

1 1 MayZ, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS Primary ExaminerAlbert J. Makay ArwrneyC. Emmett Pugh [57] ABSTRACT A clip for keys, pocket" watches and the like for suspending the items from the waist band of an article of clothing on the inside of the article of clothing out of sight between it and the human body in a particular region of the human anatomy, viz. at or near the boundary between the iliac and the hypogastric regions of the lower abdomen directly between the anterior superior iliac spines wherein the body forms a natural, elongated hollow. Such positioning prevents any discomfort to the user and creates no unsightly bulge. The lower extension (5) of the clip angles down and away from the plane of the clip portion (2,4) and assists the natural contours of the human body in positioning the items in the desired location.

1 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 I NVENTOR. CAREY E. WALTON ATTORNEY CLIP SUSPENSION DEVICE FOR KEYS AND THE LIKE The present invention relates to key clips or the like wherein the keys or other suspended items are clipped to the waist band of trouser or the like and suspended on the inside of the trousers out of sight between it and the human body. The suspended items are designed to be suspended in a particular area of the lower abdomen of the body to prevent any discomfort or unsightly bulge.

It is well known in the art to use key clips and the like to suspend keys and such from the waistband of trousers on the outside of the trousers. However, such visual suspension creates an unsightly, disruffled appearance and most people have refused to use such clips, particularly when dressed up or in business suits. Rather than use suspension devices on the outside of the trousers, most people today merely place their keys in their pockets to keep them out of sight. However, because of the rough sharp edges of the keys, pants pockets are worn out rapidly and their presence in the pockets often creates an unsightly bulge. Because of the latter problems of wear and bulge, people today have had to turn to relatively expensive key cases and containers, either having to limit the number of keys that are carried around or using large cases or containers still having the bulge" problem. Moreover when keys are carried in pockets, they can often be difiicult to remove, particularly when sitting down; additionally they can often cause discomfort when they bunch up when one squats or sits.

The present invention eliminates all of these prior art problems and short comings in a simple and inexpensive manner. The present invention permits the carrying of large numbers of keys out of sight without creating a bulge or the accelerated wearing out of any garments by use of an inexpensive clip element which is always readily and easily available for removal or insertion regardless of body position and which never causes any discomfort to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. I and 2 are perspective and side views of the key clip of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the upper torso of the human body showing the basic front anatomical regions; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a person using the key clip in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clip of the present invention comprises a resilient clip portion 1 formed by front piece 2 and back member 4. Decorative designs and lettering 3 can be placed or engraved on the front piece 2 for ornamentation and aesthetic appeal.

Extending down from the back member 4 is a lower extension 5 having an aperture 7 therein at its lower extremity. A key ring 8 is attached to the clip by means of the suspension ring 6 passing through the aperture 7 and the ring 8.

As noted particularly in FIG. 2, the lower extension 5 lies in a different plane than either the front piece 2 or the back member 4 and projects at an acute angle away from the opening or mouth of the clip portion 1. The angularity of the lower extension helps to position the suspended elements (e.g. keys 9) in a desired portion of the human anatomy, as will be explained more fully below.

The clip portions 1 5 can be formed of one integral piece of metal, such as stainless steel, gold alloy, silver alloy or the like, folded back upon itself and bent accordiong to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. The key ring 8 is designed to allow the relatively easy removal or insertion of keys or the like in the standard, well known way. A clip substantially identical to that disclosed can also of course be used for pocket watches, cameos, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the key clip of FIGS. 1 and 2 is used in an unique and a particularly advantageous manner. The clip with the desired keys 9 attached to the key ring 8 is clipped to the waist band of a pair of trousers and the keys suspended on the inside of the trousers out of sight. Proper positioning of the clip is most important to insure the comfort of the user.

It has been found that the human anatomy in the lower, side abdominal region forms a small cavity or hollow which provides a natural pocket in which the keys should be located. When located in this area of the human body the keys will cause no discomfort to the user or, for that matter, even a bulge regardless of whether the user is moving about, standing, sitting, squatting or moving from one position to another. In fact, when properly positioned, the user is normally unaware of even the presence of the keys or the clip.

For convenience of description and reference, the human abdomen illustrated in FIG. 3 is divided into six basic regions by imaginary planes, two horizontal and two sagittal, indicated by the dashed lines 24, 25 and 29 drawn on the lower surface of the body.

An upper transverse line 24 (the transpyloric) is located half way between the jugular notch and the upper border of the synphysis pubis and cuts through the pylorus, the tips of the ninth costal cartilages and the lower border of the first lumbar vertebra. A lower transverse line 25 (the transtubercular) corresponds to the iliac tubercles and cuts the body of the fifth lumbar vertebra. By means of these horizontal planes 24, 25, the abdomen is divided into three zones, named the subcostal (above 24), the umbilical (between 24 and 25) and the hypogastric (below 25).

The umbilical and the hypogastric zones are further subdivided into three regions each by the two sagittal planes indicated by the right and left lateral lines 29a and 29b respectively, drawn vertically through points half way between the anterior superior iliac spines 26a and 26b and the midline 28 through the navel 27. The central region 23a, 23b of the umbilical zone is likewise termed the umbilical region, having the navel 27 centrally located therein, and the two lateral regions 22a and 22b are termed the right and left lumbar, respectively. The middle region 21a, 21b of the hypogastric zone is also called the hypogastric or pubic region, while lateral regions 20a and 20b are termed the right and left iliac or inquinal regions.

For additional details of the human anatomy, reference is made to Anatomy of the Human Body" by Henry Gray (commonly called Grays Anatomy,") 28th edition (1966) published by Lea & Febieger of Philadelphia. Pages 67-83 should be particularly noted.

The contours of the abdomen are established largely by the muscles, with modifications brought about by the accumulation of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous layers. In the area lying on the lateral lines 29 and directly between the anterior superior iliac spines 26, that is, right below the intersection of lines 29 with line 25, the abdomen forms an elongated, angular cavity or hollow in which, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the keys 9 are suspended. Thus the desired area is located at or near the boundary between the iliac 20 and hypogastric 21 regions directly between the anterior superior iliac spine 26. Of course, since the surface of the human body is symmetrical about the midline 28, the clip can be used on either the right or left side, as desired.

In this way the keys (or pocket" watch, etc.) are carried out of sight beneath the clothing and yet are suspended in a manner which causes no discomfort to the user and creates no unsightly bulge. It should be noted that absolute precision of placement is not necessary because the natural contours of the human anatomy will guide the keys into the cavity if they are generally placed in juxtaposition to the desired area. Having the lower extension 5 of the clip angularly extending away from the plane of the main clip body 2,4 and toward the body serves to cooperate with and assist the natural contours of the body in positioning the keys 9.

It has been found that a clip having dimensions of approximately 1 inches as measured from the top of the clip (and hence the top of the waist band 10) to the aperture 7 is suitable for men of normal build wearing the standard style of slacks.

Although a particular, detailed embodiment of the clip has been described and illustrated, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details of the preferred embodiment, and many changes in design, configuration and dimensions are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as invention is:

l. The method of carrying elements such as keys, pocket" watches and the like on the clothed human body comprising the steps of:

a. attaching by clipping a resilient clip suspension member to which said elements are attached to the waist band of an article of clothing covering the lower portion of the human body;

b. placing the elements on the inside of the article of clothing between the article and the human body;

c. suspending the elements from the suspension member on the inside of the article of clothing in an elongated, natural hollow formed in the surface of the human body at or near the boundary between the iliac and hypogastric regions of the lower human abdomen directly between the anterior superior iliac spines; and

. providing said suspension member with a lower extension 

1. The method of carrying elements such as keys, ''''pocket'''' watches and the like on the clothed human body comprising the steps of: a. attaching by clipping a resilient clip suspension member to which said elements are attached to the waist band of an article of clothing covering the lower portion of the human body; b. placing the elements on the inside of the article of clothing between the article and the human body; c. suspending the elements from the suspension member on the inside of the article of clothing in an elongated, natural hollow formed in the surface of the human body at or near the boundary between the iliac and hypogastric regions of the lower human abdomen directly between the anterior superior iliac spines; and d. providing said suspension member with a lower extension to which said elements are attached, said lower extension extending down and angularly away from the plane formed by said clip and toward the body, thereby assisting the natural contours of the body in positioning said elements in the desired anatomical regions; whereby the suspended elements are out of sight and are carried in such a manner as to cause no discomfort to the user during normal activity or to create no unsightly bulge. 